Cheap holidays to Dublin

Uncover the capital and largest city in the Irish Republic with Dublin flight and hotel packages, which have been popular with adventurous weekend trippers for decades. Easy to reach from the UK, Dublin has plenty to do including sightseeing, encountering history and enjoying great food and drink, all against a backdrop of warm local hospitality. Dublin is relatively compact as cities go, making it a breeze to get around. What's more, its efficient public transportation system opens up other possibilities too: hop on a train and you'll soon reach the pretty seaside town of Bray, or the historic university town of Maynooth.

Arriving in Dublin couldn't be simpler. There are two terminals at the city's airport and flights to Dublin from the UK arrive at either of the two. British Airways uses T1 for flights from London to Dublin as does Ryanair, but if you are using Aer Lingus for your flight to Dublin from Manchester, Glasgow or other airports, you'll arrive at T2. Once through Arrivals, hop on an Airport Express bus for quick transfers to the areas of O'Connell Street and Temple Bar. A taxi will take you anywhere else in the city. There's no time difference between Ireland and the UK, but don't forget to take euros with you. It's worth buying a Dublin Leap card upon arrival at the airport as it includes not only the Airport Express bus fare, but also access to train, bus and tram services throughout County Dublin.

Summer's the ideal time for your weekend in Dublin as the weather is at its warmest between June and August. Dublin welcomes visitors all-year round though, so whatever time of year you choose for Dublin package holidays you'll find all attractions and museums open, and the locals friendly and accommodating. December is a popular time for a Dublin weekend getaway since there are lots of Christmas markets, festive lights in the main shopping areas and seasonal events in historic buildings.

With its compact city centre, Dublin's a perfect city for strolling around. Pack comfortable shoes, grab a map and set off to explore whichever side of the city interests you the most. Bursting with history, the city houses large national museums covering all aspects of Irish history as well as elegant Georgian architecture. If shopping's more your thing, there are several excellent covered shopping malls, upscale department stores and independent boutiques. Lovers of outdoors recreation should head to the vast Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed city park in Europe and home to its very own herd of deer. And if all that's not enough, 40 minutes on the train takes you to the traditional seaside town of Bray where you can stroll along the promenade while enjoying a tasty ice cream, made from local dairy produce.

City breaks in Dublin promise to be action packed, but be sure to prioritise the most important city sights. Consistently rated the top Dublin visitor attraction, the Guinness Storehouse is a museum and exhibition dedicated to the city's most famous alcoholic export. Don't miss the Gravity Bar at the top of the building where you can enjoy a pint and 360 degree views around the city. Ireland's other national drink is whiskey, and at the Jameson Distillery Bow St you can learn all about the fascinating production process behind it before tasting some whiskeys in the bar.

One of Dublin's top historical attractions is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript produced around 800AD. It is kept in the stunning library of Trinity College Dublin and is well worth seeing. Nearby, you'll find the National Gallery of Ireland and the Archaeological Museum, two other outstanding attractions for culture buffs. Dublin has its fair share of quirky attractions too - pay homage at the statue of Molly Malone on Grafton Street, a figure from a well-known Irish folk song. Kids of all ages, meanwhile, will love the Leprechaun Museum, which explores the mystical and magical sides to Irish culture.

If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Dublin.

Eating out in Dublin

With your flight and hotel in Dublin sorted, you may want to know what meal times will look like. Well, rest assured that Dublin has a world-class dining scene that caters to all tastes and budgets. Some of the top Dublin foodie experiences include:

• Afternoon tea in the charmingly traditional surroundings of Bewley's coffee house on Grafton Street
• Michelin-starred dining at Chapter One, where the seven course tasting menu features locally-inspired dishes
• Hearty pub grub in a traditional Irish bar washed down with a pint of Guinness
• Cornucopia restaurant on Wicklow Street, arguably Dublin's best vegetarian and vegan eatery

Shopping in Dublin – what souvenirs to look for

Dublin is a true shopper's paradise. If it is international fashion and top brands you're after, then visit the large shopping centres at St Stephen's Green, and Ireland's largest shopping centre at Dundrum. Bargain hunters often head an hour down the M7 motorway to the Kildare Village outlet, where designer goods can be picked up for a fraction of their original selling price. If you're looking for something more traditionally Irish as a memento of your visit to the city, brands such as Avoca produce a range of clothing, homeware and accessories. Crystal, linen and pottery are also widely sold in handicrafts shops. Otherwise, you'll find anything and everything emblazoned with the Guinness logo or the brand's famous toucan image - an iconic memento from exciting, action-packed package holidays to Dublin.